Overdrive, restored to tour, runs and drives great, nice Model A.

1931 Ford Model A Description

When I was 14 years old, I decided that I wanted a Model A as my first car. Specifically, I wanted a 1931 Ford Model A slant-windshield town sedan very much like this one. I loved the look, the practicality, and since we were a Model A family, I looked forward to driving it alongside my father’s 1930 roadster. I spent hours dreaming about how I’d finish it—mine was going to be maroon, but if I’d seen this green one, I probably would have changed my mind. I definitely wanted sidemounts and a trunk, and if overdrives were widely available in 1984, well, I probably would have insisted on one of those, too. Now that I have this beautiful little slant-windshield sedan, I realized that I was probably on to something even as a kid. It’s just a delight to drive, the spacious 4-door is practical if you have a family, and thanks to myriad upgrades, it’s a wonderful, reliable, and capable tour car. If you want a Model A that’s ready to go, this is a fantastic choice.

The colors are Kewanee and Elkpoint Green, with an Apple Green pinstripe, and the combination looks fantastic on the slant-windshield sedan. The slant-windshield sedans are 1931-only, and most folks agree that it was simply Ford trying to update the look of their cars. Bodies were still made by Briggs and Murray, but they lost their familiar identifiers, so bodies from both companies were more or less identical. The slant-windshield cars appear larger but are not, and the proportions remain excellent, giving the modest Model A an upscale look. The restoration on this car is perhaps 10 or even 15 years old, but it remains in very good condition with only minor signs of age and use—certainly nothing that we can point to as a definitive flaw. There are no major chips or scratches in the finish, and a few wear spots on the pinstripes suggest that it has been polished regularly. All four doors fit nicely, as does the hood, and there’s a great shine to the finish that looks about right (it appears to be enamel paint, not two-stage urethane). This humble little Ford is dressed with all kinds of period accessories, including dual sidemounts, a grille guard, moto-meter, spotlight, wind wings with clip-on mirrors, running board step plates, dual taillights, and a rear-mounted trunk. It gives the car a dressed-up look that many people find appealing, and I can’t argue with the presentation. For safety, there are also auxiliary turn signal lights neatly tucked behind the bumper so they’re visible but don’t stand out and wreck the car’s lines, although it’s worth noting that the turn signals are also wired into the cowl lights and taillights. 

The interior is correctly trimmed in brown mohair that lends the Model A an upscale look and feel, which was surely the intention. There’s some minor wear on the driver’s seat, but otherwise it remains in excellent condition throughout. Someone thoughtfully added a protector on the seat frame to cut down on wear and tear as the driver slides into place, and the carpets have a layer of insulation underneath to help control noise and heat inside. The controls are standard Model A, with a center-mounted instrument panel which is a correct 1931 round speedometer unit. All the gauges work except the fuel gauge, which is easy to repair with a kit, and there’s an aftermarket temperature gauge hanging under the dash (working in conjunction with the moto meter out on the radiator—can’t be too sure, you know!). You will also note a rather cleverly installed turn signal switch on the steering column and that second shifter lever is for the Mitchell overdrive, which makes touring easy. Seat belts were added for safety up front, while the back seat is specious enough for three passengers to ride in comfort. There’s even a silk shade for the rear window. Nice!

We’re told that the engine is a Model B four-cylinder, which means 25% more horsepower without losing the flavor of an original Model A. It starts and runs beautifully with that characteristic Model A sound and there’s always torque on tap to make it feel lively on the road. It is also fairly correct under the hood, including the Zenith updraft carburetor, a proper distributor with copper leads, and Ford Green engine enamel on the block itself. A few upgrades are designed to make touring easier, including the sealed water pump with a stainless shaft and a 6-volt alternator that keeps the battery topped up with ease. They have also added a fuse atop the starter, which is a good idea on any Model A. For touring, this one is ideally set up and ready to go!

The original 3-speed manual transmission shifts properly with a quick double-clutch, and the Mitchell overdrive means that this A will cruise all day at 65 MPH without breaking a sweat. Nice, right? The stock rear end has 3.55 gears in it, as original, so the engine is just loafing along and never seems to be straining and it stays nice and cool at speed. It still has the original mechanical brakes, so plan your stops accordingly, but they feel confident and sure so they’ve been properly maintained. The floors are wood, so rust isn’t an issue and the frame remains in excellent shape with no evidence of damage or rot. Painted black wire wheels are a great choice on the green sedan, and the 4.50/4.75-19 Firestone wide whites look fantastic.

If you’re a Model A veteran, you recognize that this ’31 slant-windshield town sedan already has all the upgrades everyone wants. And if you’re new to the hobby, this is a great place to start. This beautiful little car is comfortable, stylish, and reliable, and with those upgrades, you’ll be able to tour without worries. This is an easy car to like, and the price is certainly right. Call today!